August Empties

I think this is the smallest amount yet! I threw out some things I used over summer holidays instead of bringing the empty pots/sachets back.

Aromatherapy Associates Renewing Rose Body Wash 40ml - a beautiful rose scented body wash. I have a few in my stash but would buy full size.

Kiss the Moon Love After Dark Bath Oil 5ml - a lush and heady scented bath oil (Rose, Palmarosa, Ylang Ylang and Frankincense). I definitely want the full size of this! See my review HERE.

bodhi & birch Botanical Dew Hand & Body Wash 200ml - this was lovely to use. See my review HERE. Will buy again.

MOA Fortifying Green Bath Potion 100ml - I was really sad to finish this invigorating and de-stressing bath oil. See my review HERE. Another one will be mine when I finish up some other bath products. Loved it.

Aromatherapy Associates Light Relax Bath & Shower Oil 9ml - nice to use. Huge fan of these. Sure to pick up again.

REN Neroli & Grapefruit Body Wash 50ml - there were REN toiletries in Hotel du Vin in Birmingham. This was nice and refreshing on a hot day and after travelling. Would maybe pick up again.

L'Occitane Mer & Mistral Shower Gel 50ml - loved this sea inspired scented shower gel which was very refreshing. Would buy again.

Mio Clean Slate Workout Swipe for Face & Body - a single use large wipe which is great after exercise or travelling. Would buy again.

PG Gardenia Grand Soir EdP sample - which came in my October 2015 Bloom Perfumery sample pack. Loved this and full size is on the wishlist.

Dr Organic Rose Otto Deodorant - I prefer the Pomegranate one so wouldn't pick this up again.

Lucy's Lotions Vitamin E & Grapefruit Body Butter 150ml - this was pleasant to use but was more a cream than a butter. See my review HERE. I wouldn't buy this particular product again but love the lip balm in the range.

Madara Moon Flower Rose Beige Tinting Fluid 50ml - I love using this at weekends or light make up days. It gives the skin a glow with light coverage. Just cracked open a new one.

UrbanVeda Rose+Botanics Reviving Exfoliating Facial Polish 20ml - really nice to use with a gentle scrub. Would buy full size.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 20ml - this just works. Already opened a new tube.

Therapi Orange Blossom Honey Moisturiser 15ml - this is lovely to use and smells divine. Would buy.

John Masters Organics Lavender & Rosemary Shampoo 30ml - I buy this again and again as my hair loves it. 

Chantecaillie La Creme Riche Anti-Age+ BioLifting Cream+ 10ml - a delicious and truly luxurious cream. Full size is extortionate so won't be buying anytime soon unfortunately!

Skin & Tonic Steam Clean 15ml - this is a staple product for me. I used this one on holiday and finished it up when I got home. Already using another.

Olivine Love+Roses Beauty Mist 8oz - this mist can be used all over the body and hair to refresh. See my review HERE. I'd definitely buy again.

What have you been using up this month?

Souk Souk Pamper Boutique Box

As you'll know I gave up my Souk Souk subscription recently. I'm still on their mailing list and received an email listing some new Limited Edition Boxes (£20 plus P&P).

I spotted a few of my favourites and quickly bought...

WOW!

AS.AP mini Cleansing Oil #5, mini Crochet Cleansing Cloth and Lip Balm #7 - see my review here. I've not tried the wee cloth yet so looking forward to trying it with the cleansing oil.

Lucy's Lotions Vitamin E & Grapefruit Lip Balm full size - I just adore this! See my review here.

Inner Soul Organics Romance Me Skin Oil sample size - this is beautiful. I'm a huge fan. See my review here.

Bentley Organic Shampoo & Conditioner minis - I've only tried bar soaps before from this brand so looking forward to trying these out.

Mungo Murphy's Nourishing Seaweed Face Mask - this is a new brand to me. Expect a review soon.

Xenca Organic Lipstick in Spice full size - super moisturising colour - see my review here.

Avril Eyelash Curlers, Avril Organic Mascara in Black & 2 x Avril Nail Lacquers.

Inika Organic Eye Pencil in Black Caviar - full size

Ville De Fleurs Shea Butter - I love the cute little tin the nourishing butter comes in. I received this in a previous Souk Souk monthly beauty box.

Nourish Golden Glow Illuminating Face Shimmer - this is a staple for me so a trial size will be handy for holidays.  See my review here.

SpaRitual Handprint Hand Serum 7.4ml - I think I've tried this before and quite liked it.

FOM Hair Serum - I didn't really get on with this so I'll pass it on.

A great value box I think.  What are your thoughts?  Did you pick this one or one of the other Limited Edition boxes up?

My Top 10: 2014

Here are my top ten beauty products this year. You can see my top 10 from 2013 here. I found it fairly easy to select as these are all products I already buy again and again or will do in the future.

Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Shower Gel 250ml - I first received this shower gel as a PR sample but loved it so much I buy it again and again. I just love the slightly exotic and fruity scent.  See my review here*.

Lucy's Lotions Vitamin E & Grapefruit Rejuvenating Night Oil 100ml - this light and easily absorbed oil nourishes the skin. It smells of uplifting grapefruit. See my review here.

RMS Beauty 'Un' Powder 9g - I'm now on my second pot of this wonder powder. It absorbs any oil on the skin leaving it matte and flawless. I'll always have it in my stash!

Laboratory Perfumes Gorse EDT 100ml - a winner hands down for me this year i.e. my favourite scent. Love it's coconutty fresh scent. It smells different on every wearer.  See my review here.

Skin & Tonic Steam Clean sample pot - I received this in a YOU Beauty Discovery box and can quite honestly say its the best cleanser I've used this year. Super minty it cleans away every last trace of make up and daily grime leaving the skin feel clean and nourished. It featured in Lately I've been Loving last month - see here.

Yarok Feed your Moisture Masque 4oz* - quite probably the best deep conditioning hair treatment I've ever used! it leaves the hair glossy and silky smooth. See my review here.

Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts - I buy the 100g pouches again and again to top up my chic black pot. These salts just work. They also featured in my top ten last year too!  See my review here.

Blue Labelle Body Oil with Ylang Ylang & Frankincense 100ml - a rich and lush body oil which smells divine. See my review here.

Bodhi & Birch Rosa Rosa Daily Moisturiser 50ml* - a real luxe product. This heavenly scented and easily absorbed moisturiser is my favourite moisturiser this year. The cleanser and toner are pretty special too.  See my review here.

Bodhi & Birch Lime Blossom Protecting Hand Serum 30ml - simply love this zesty scented nourishing serum.  This is my second one! See my review here*.

What's been your favourite product(s) this year?

*PR samples

Lucy's Lotions: Vitamin E & Grapefruit Rejuvenating Night Oil, Day Cream & Body Butter

Having loved the Lucy's Lotions Vitamin E & Grapefruit Lip Balm I received in October's Souk Souk Beauty Box - see my review here I knew I wanted to try the rest of the range.  The whole range smells gorgeous! Really uplifting and zesty.

Vitamin E & Grapefruit Rejuvenating Night Oil (£26 - 100ml) this is a luxe blend of 6 oils.  This light and easily absorbed oil is suitable for all skin types.  It also rejuvenates tired and damaged skin types.

It contains Argan Oil which contains high levels of Essential Fatty Acids and helps with cell renewal.  Avocado Oil soothes and repairs and Olive Squalane helps maintain moisture in the skin.  The oil contains no parabens and is suitable for vegetarians.  Vitamin E helps fight the signs of ageing and it can help protect the skin from UVA rays.  The oil is scented with uplifting Grapefruit, Mandarin and Lavender Essential oils which refreshes, moisturises, soothes and calms.

Apply a few drops to the skin after cleansing.  This is one of my favourite skincare products this year.

Vitamin E & Grapefruit Day Cream (£15.85 - 60ml) a Vitamin rich cream which is packed full of nourishing oils of Jojoba, Apricot and Vitamin E and scented with Grapefruit Essential oil.  Orange Flower Water soothes the skin. The cream nourishes and repairs. Smoothing out lines and wrinkles. Natural mineral Titanium Dioxide provides SPF15.  I sometimes at a drop or two of Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil or Bodhi & Birch's Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil or Neroli Luce Revitalising Face Oil for a bit of extra nourishment.

Vitamin E & Grapefruit Body Butter (£14 - 150ml) I'd say this is the product I'm disappointed with out the range. Don't get me wrong its a lovely body cream but not a body butter as I know it.  Light and fluffy it hydrates the skin and helps improve elasticity.

Have you used any Lucy's Lotions products before?

November: Lately I've been Loving

These are the things which have been making me smile this month:

I picked up some delicious cinnamon shortbread and a super yummy homemade chocolate bar studded with seeds, fruit and Calendula petals from Pinnies & Poppy Seeds (well worth a visit if you are in Edinburgh).  I'll be visiting again...and soon!  You can see the shortbread flavours here.

I received this extra special gift* from Bee Good which was sent to bloggers for their support throughout the year. It made me smile...lots! The little bee Christmas decoration is the cutest thing. I'm looking forward to hanging up the pretty stocking, and having toast with my honey, eating the bee embossed chocolate and making sure my lips are smooth and nourished with the very gorgeous Vanilla & Honey Lip Balm.  You can purchase the Christmas Bee Pampered Gift set here which comes with beauty goodies and delicious biscuits! - see my review of it here*.

I've been going to watch the football and rugby more often lately. Makes for a fun afternoon out (especially if we win!)  Here are my handbag essentials.

Another November highlight as been the arrival of my Ginvent Advent Calendar.

I finally got round to using my super pretty Kate Heiss Stationery notebooks. I just love nice notebooks and cards.

I'm a huge fan of Skin & Tonic's Steam Clean which I received in November's YOU Beauty Discovery Box. It quite simply is one of the best cleansing balms I've ever used! I love its minty scent too and the fact you can use it as a cleanser, a moisturiser, for cuticles and I've even used it to tame frizzy flyaways.  Just adore!

What have you been loving this month?

*complimentary

September/October: Lately I've been Loving

I just ran out of time in September to do a Lately I've been Loving. So this month I'm doing a joint post for both September and October.

My friends Magi and Derek recently got a lovely wee kitten called Alfie. He's an absolute sweetheart.

At the end of September we had a trip to London and I got to meet Nardine, Sam and Grace. It was really fab to meet them and we had a great time catching up.

me, Sam (@HoneyGo_Lightly), Grace (@allthatslap) & Nardine (@Miss_Nardine)

While in London we had some super yummy macarons. My favourite sweet treat.

Also in London I got some chocolate from Fortnum & Mason No.38 Rose & Violet Dark Chocolate bar which was delicious.

I'm really thrilled for my veggie growing posts to feature on Bodhi Luxe - it's such an honour!  You can see these here.

I love discovering new brands and Love Lula have a huge selection. One of my favourite discoveries in September was JOIK's White Chocolate Bath Truffles. Seriously gorgeous!

I've been really enjoying a lot of kindle books. A favourite in October has been Bo Brennan. Her books Stealing Power and Baby Snatchers were super creepy. Check them out on Amazon here.

source

I've been loving Lucy's Lotions Lip Balm which I received in my October Souk Souk box. I loved it so much I bought the rest of the range - which is great too. I love getting new to me brands in beauty boxes.

I've also been loving Odylique's very gorgeous latest launch Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie* which is the best hand cream I've ever used! It smells simply delicious of lemon with a touch of vanilla, absorbs instantly and leaves the hands super moisturised, nurtured and comfortable. Love!

What have you been loving this month?

*PR sample

Lucy's Lotions: Vitamin E & Grapefruit Lip Balm

I received this fabulous Lucy's Lotions Vitamin E & Grapefruit Lip Balm 30ml (£6.50) in my October Souk Souk Beauty Box. I've been wearing it everyday since my box arrived and I love it!

Packaged in a huge pot this balm is super moisturising and uplifting. It is my favourite item in this month's box.

Lucy makes everything by hand in her London kitchen and products are free from parabens, are suitable for Vegans and there is no animal testing.

The balm is a blend of Macadamia nut butter, Cocoa butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E and scented with Grapefruit essential oil.  See the full ingredient list here.

Of course as I love this so much I bought the rest of the range - Vitamin E & Grapefruit Rejuvenating Night Oil, Vitamin E & Grapefruit Body Butter and Vitamin E & Grapefruit Day Cream and they arrived yesterday! Reviews will follow.

See the website here
Follow on Twitter @LucysLotions

Souk Souk October Beauty Box

My October Souk Souk Beauty box arrived yesterday and I'm pleased to say it is jam packed with brands mostly I've not tried before.

So what's inside:

Betty Hula Champagne & Spice Body Moisturising Cream 120ml (£12.99) - this is a full size product. I've heard of this brand but the two items included in the box are my first tries.  The cream has a super sweet scent and feels moisturising on the skin.  The second Betty Hula item is a sample of The Secret Wonder Oil which is packed full of good things for the skin. Use it overnight and wake up to rejuvenated and radiant skin.

Lucy's Lotions Vitamin E & Grapefruit Lip Balm 30ml (£6.50) - this rather wonderful full size lip balm (it's in a huge pot!) is from a brand I've not heard of before! It is stuffed full of butters and oils and scented with grapefruit. It feels great on the lips. Love!  I've just treated myself to the whole range!

AFYNA Daily Purifying Cream Cleanser 30ml (£7.50)- I've heard of this brand but this is the first time I've tried anything. A gentle cleanser which is packed full of good things for the skin. Love the packaging too.

Ville De Fleurs Shea Butter 8ml (£4.99) - this butter comes in a cute little tin. It is perfect for dry areas of skin and hair. Love!

The box extra is Hifas da Terra Mico-Serum sachets - I tried this serum recently and although a nice product I didn't like the scent.  See my review here.

A great box I think. What are your thoughts?